Chapter 11

I could feel someone stroking my hair as I woke up slowly.

I looked up, blinking blearily to a smiling Henry.

“Sleep ok Maxy?”

I blinked a few more times before turning my face towards his stomach and hugging him.

I was happy he hadn't died on any missions but felt a bit lame I basically did.

I felt him chuckle.

“Want to sleep more? Or do you want me to read?” He asked.

I turned my body, looking over at the table and pointed towards a book about farm animals.

He sighed.

“Maxxyyyy.” He complained.

I turned to look up at him and even though he couldn't see my teasing grin because of the mask he could probably see the amusement in my eyes.

He sighed but grabbed the book.

This one was mostly about chickens and incubation.

I wished I could read because it would probably be faster and he would hate it less but after the dream I had gotten more curious.

I liked animals apparently.

After about an hour of reading Henry sighed and looked down at me pouting a bit.

“Why do you like this kind of stuff Maxy?” He looked tired.

I shrugged.

It was just interesting to me.

I took the book from him and sat up, deciding to page through it and look at the pictures at least.

There were many illustrations of baby chickens as they developed and how to set up incubators.

I found the incubators interesting as I traced the small parts with my eyes.

Henry was staring at me as I looked at the book and after a minute I turned and raised an eyebrow at him.

“Still can't read?” He asked.

It had been about a week and a half since Henry came back in my life and I had started remembering things.

I still couldn't read even after trying nearly every day.

I was scared I would have to relearn it all.

I looked down at the book and towards the letters.

They all appeared to be complete nonsense to me and after looking for a good 5 minutes I gave up and shrugged at him.

“You're sad… don't be Maxy baby.” He said softly and I stared at him for a moment, trying not to cry.

It really did bother me, I wanted to read and try doing the things I used to love.

Henry moved over and pulled me into his lap, hugging me.

Henry was a lot bigger than me, not finding it hard to carry me even when I was healthier.

Much to my displeasure.

But he always worked out alot even before the apocalypse.

He liked being active and learning stuff like judo or using weapons.

He was built to survive the apocalypse honestly while I was weaker, not really into fighting and more about creating or growing.

I sniffed, feeling like a baby while trying not to cry.

I was still scared that I would have to relearn everything.

I still couldn't tell time either and the clock outside the cell was making me want to throw something at it every morning.

“Maxy it's only been a little over a week since you started feeling better, Sarah said it could take much longer before you remember more things.”

I nodded but I was still mad, feeling like everything was unfair.

Or maybe I was being too childish.

Would I be able to relearn to read? 

Or would it come back?

Or maybe I was too damaged.

The thought scared me more.

Eventually Sarah and her team came to give me another meal and as I ate Henry went over to Sarah and was whispering in her ear.

I could hear a few words with my sensitive hearing but couldn't really piece what he was trying to say.

Something about going outside?

He had been here for awhile so he probably needed to leave for work or something soon...

I was a little scared, I really didn't want him going anywhere.

Henry pulled away and stared at Sarah.

She raised an eyebrow at him.

“Please?” He begged.

She sighed and looked at me.

I gave her a hesitant smile, feeling confused as she was looking me over.

She pointed a finger at me.

“Go clip your nails and get cleaned up.”

I blinked at her commanding tone.

“You're going outside with Henry today.” She smirked, making my eyes widen.

I stared at her dazed.

I hadn't thought I would go outside in a long time.

I scrambled over to the bathroom and took the quickest shower as physically possible, clipping my nails after.

I stood in front of Sarah, trying not to grin and appear serious and responsible instead.

She rolled her eyes.

“You have to be with him the entire time and explain that he's been receiving treatment to anyone who asks. The higher ups know he's been getting them and that he's been responding well. He can stay out for 3 hours at MOST before coming back, got it?”

Henry nodded.

“I was sure you would say no.” He said after a minute.

She shrugged.

“I had told the higher ups that he would need to go outside soon for recovery sake anyways, plus from what I've seen with the blood work the risk of him actually infecting anyone has diminished greatly. The virus is weakening. But still mask and clipping nails just to be safe.”

I stared at her in awe.

Sarah turned to me.

“Do not touch anyone or walk too close to anyone either, if we get a complaint at all you probably won't be able to go outside again for a LONG time ok?”

I nodded.

“A lot of the people here know we have a zombie that was being treated already...but they didn't know it was you.” She said slowly.

I blinked.

They were probably going to be surprised that I was allowed to walk about even more.

I was led through a hallway with 2 other men trailing behind us from the team.

Both had dark hair and I remembered them during my times of treatment.

Henry squeezed my hand, giving me a smile as we walked.

I paused at the door while Henry walked through.

He stopped and blinked back at me as I looked up at the sky.

It was seriously bright and the sun made my eyes sting.

I looked around outside the hospital, blinking as I noticed houses and carefully stepped out onto the dirt road.

I saw a few people near them and as much as I was curious I knew it would probably be best to stay far away.

It was actually a little hard to see that there were people about but I could smell them and hear footsteps.

Everything was kind of….fuzzy.

Henry smiled at me.

“Did you want to go over there?” He asked.

I shook my head no.

I gently squeezed his hand trying to mentally tell him to pick where to go since I still didn't remember much about this place.

“Mhmmm… did you want to see the farm you set up? It's a lot bigger now.” He said with a grin.

My eyes widened and I nodded eagerly.

It sounded fun.

He led us down a path and several more, way more than I could properly remember until we ended up at 3 large buildings.

We walked inside one of the barns and the smell had me reeling.

I tried not to appear affected by it but it was very hard.

I blinked, looking around at all the cows.

There were ALOT more than I remembered from my dream.

They were leaning, lying, and walking around inside pens.

I blinked at the nearest one, it looked kind of familiar with a weird patch of brown on its forehead.

I walked over to it with Henry still holding one of my hands.

I tiled my head as it looked down at me with its big black eyes.

Ah…..

“Do you remember this one?” Henry asked.

Slowly I nodded.

It was the calf from my dream, the one I helped the mom cow give birth to.

Henry looked down at the plaque on the stall.

“Yea… you would have been around when this girl was born.” Henry said.

I couldn't read the plaque but it made me happy I could recognize the calf even after being fully grown.

I smiled at her, wishing I could pet her but since I had been warned not to touch anyone I didn't know if that was the same with animals.

“Hey guys what are guards doing all the way out here?”

I froze and was pulled behind Henry's back.

The two men also moved to help hide me.

“We're just here visiting sir.” Henry said.

“Ah Henry?! I haven't seen you around here since Ma- ah….”

Henry tensed but squeezed my hand, relaxing after a moment.

“You were good friends with Max...right Louis?” Henry asked slowly.

“Ah...yes Max helped me learn most of what I know now about taking care of the animals here, its cause of him I have a good job now.'' I could hear the smile in the man's voice.

It did sound familiar but I honestly couldn't remember the name.

“I did hear they were working on testing a cure...maybe it would be nice if….” He trailed off.

“If Max was found and received treatment?” Henry said slowly.

“Yes...that boy definitely did not deserve to die… he helped everyone here...if he hadn't been here we probably would have died from dehydration, or starvation if not.” He sighed.

“...And what if I said the zombie that was found and was receiving treatment...was Max?”

It was quiet for a full minute.

“....What's behind you?” Louis asked and I tensed.

“Louis… the zombie found and receiving treatment is Max.”

I slowly stuck my hand out from behind Henry and waved it.

“....Max?”

I put my thumb up.

“Holy shit…..”

I hesitantly walked to Henry’s side and he put an arm around my waist.

Louis’s eyes widened and he was probably shocked by my eyes.

“Is he...like… fully there...or?”

Henry tensed.

“He remembers things but from what I know has forgotten a lot and can't talk or write….yet..”

I winced.

“He's still receiving treatments and currently rehabilitating but he was deemed safe enough to be able to start walking around with guards of course.” One of the men to my side said.

Louis let out a slow breath and eyed me for a moment.

“How much do you remember about me?” He asked.

I hesitantly waved a hand in front of my throat and he blinked in confusion.

“I think he remembers your voice?” Henry said looking down at me for confirmation.

I nodded.

Louis walked a bit closer.

“Your really…..here...wow...it's kind of hard to believe….I was a bit skeptical about them talking about a cure but...kind of hard to not believe when...its in front of my face.”

I turned my head, feeling a bit embarrassed and nervous.

“I guess even though you don't really remember me...yet...I have a lot to thank you for Max...so I hope you recover well.” He said and nodded.

I turned and studied his face for a moment, trying to remember anything.

Something about making juice popsicles…..

I wished I could talk and ask about them.

Ah!

He used to make apple juice popsicles and we would sit on his porch after work and eat them while I would wait for Henry!

I clapped my hands together and pointed at him.

He looked at me startled.

I looked around the barn and then by the door, suddenly remembering where to go to find his house.

It was just behind the barns and I grabbed Henry, starting to drag him while I waved for Louis to follow.

The guards followed and Louis did to, looking confused until his eyes lit up when we walked to his house.

I went up the porch and pointed to his rocking chair and then on the steps I liked to wait on.

I was grinning like a mad man under my mask and Louis was as well.

“Do you remember my juice popsicles?”

I nodded quickly, feeling extremely excited.

“Well I guess I need to get you one then, it's been way too long since we had one.” He laughed.

I could tell why I liked this guy.

“Sorry but he can't have it.” The guard on my left said.

I frowned.

“He cant have his mask off in public yet, just as a precaution, saliva is still infectious.” The other guard explained.

I sighed.

Henry bumped my side.

“Mind if I pick one up later today for him?” Henry asked Louis.

“Oh yea sure that works.” Louis said and nodded.

I looked over at Henry.

Yup, I could definitely see why I loved this man.